xxxii, 334 pages ; 20 cm

"An explosive exposé of the man who devoted his career to shackling democracy -- and succeeded. Libertarian billionaires are using their wealth to drastically curtail the US democratic process, disempowering ordinary citizens whilst entrenching the influence of corporations as never before. In Democracy in Chains, award-winning historian Nancy MacLean reveals how the ideas of Nobel-Prize winning political economist James McGill Buchanan have been used to undermine the power of voters in a country whose Constitution is founded on the principle 'We the people'. Now, with Mike Pence as Vice President, this chilling movement has a loyalist in the White House, as well supporters in the House, the Senate, a majority of state governments, and the courts. Democracy in Chains is a timely and important book, which should be read by anybody interested in the future of democracy."--Page 4 of cover

Originally published: New York : Viking, 2017

Includes bibliographical references (pages 303-321) and index

Introduction: A quiet deal in Dixie -- Prologue: the Marx of the master class -- There was no stopping us -- Part I: The ideas take shape -- A country boy goes to the Windy City -- The real purpose of the program -- Letting the chips fall where they may -- To protect capitalism from government -- A counterrevolution takes time -- A world gone mad -- Part II: Ideas in action -- Large things can start from small beginnings -- Never compromise -- A constitution with locks and bolts -- Democracy defeats the doctrine -- The kind of force that propelled Columbus -- Part III: The fallout -- Conclusion: Get ready

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